25 E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Facts Every Movie Fan Should Know

Few movies have captured the imagination of audiences quite like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Released in 1982, Steven Spielberg’s science fiction classic tells the story of a stranded alien who forms an extraordinary friendship with a young boy named Elliott. Their adventure combines humor, suspense, unforgettable movie moments and a heartwarming message about friendship.

But how much do you know about the film behind the iconic glowing finger, Reese’s Pieces and the bicycle flying across the moon?

From surprising production details to award-winning music and memorable performances, these 25 E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial facts reveal what makes the movie such an enduring part of film history.

And if you love the movie, you can take your appreciation beyond the screen inside the Movie Zone at Madame Tussauds Orlando, where you can meet E.T. and see a lifelike wax figure of the legendary filmmaker who brought his story to life: Steven Spielberg.

25 E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Facts

1. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Was Released in 1982

The original E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial premiered in U.S. theaters on June 11, 1982. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film became one of the defining movies of the 1980s and introduced audiences to one of cinema’s most recognizable alien characters.

2. Steven Spielberg Directed the Movie

Steven Spielberg directed E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, bringing his talent for combining extraordinary adventures with relatable human emotions to the story. His direction helped make a movie about an alien visitor feel personal, touching and believable.

Spielberg is one of the most influential filmmakers in Hollywood, known for movies that have shaped popular culture across generations. At Madame Tussauds Orlando, movie fans can get closer to the filmmaker’s legacy by seeing his lifelike wax figure.

3. Melissa Mathison Wrote the Screenplay

The screenplay was written by Melissa Mathison, whose story follows the friendship between Elliott and E.T. The script balances the excitement of a science fiction adventure with the emotional experiences of childhood, family and saying goodbye.

4. Henry Thomas Played Elliott

Henry Thomas stars as Elliott, the young boy who discovers E.T. and helps him hide from the outside world. Elliott becomes the alien’s closest friend and plays a central role in helping him find a way home.

Thomas’s performance is an important part of the movie’s emotional impact, particularly as Elliott struggles with the possibility of losing his extraordinary new friend.

5. Drew Barrymore Played Gertie

Drew Barrymore plays Gertie, Elliott’s younger sister. At the time, Barrymore was only six years old, and her performance helped bring humor and warmth to the story.

Gertie’s reactions to E.T. also create some of the film’s memorable family moments as the children try to keep their unusual visitor a secret.

6. Robert MacNaughton Played Michael

Robert MacNaughton portrays Michael, Elliott’s older brother. Initially skeptical of Elliott’s story, Michael eventually becomes part of the effort to protect E.T. and help him return home.

His character adds another perspective to the story of how an unexpected discovery can bring people together.

7. Dee Wallace Played Mary

Dee Wallace stars as Mary, the children’s mother. Her character provides the family setting at the center of the movie, while the children work to protect their alien friend without immediately revealing the truth to her.

8. E.T.’s Design Was Created by Carlo Rambaldi

Italian special effects artist Carlo Rambaldi helped bring E.T. to life. His design combined unusual alien features with expressive eyes and facial movements that encouraged audiences to connect emotionally with the character.

The result was a creature that looked unmistakably otherworldly while still communicating curiosity, affection and sadness.

9. E.T. Was Brought to Life With Animatronics and Practical Effects

Long before modern digital effects became standard in blockbuster movies, the filmmakers relied on carefully constructed puppets, animatronics and practical techniques to make E.T. believable.

The production team created mechanical facial movements and physical performances that allowed E.T. to interact with the young actors. This hands-on approach helped make the character feel present in the film’s real-world settings.

10. E.T.’s Voice Was Created With Multiple Sound Sources

Sound designer Ben Burtt developed E.T.’s distinctive voice using a combination of recordings rather than relying on a single performer.

Among the sources used was the voice of Pat Welsh, whose naturally raspy voice became an important part of E.T.’s sound. The finished result gave the alien a recognizable voice that audiences could identify immediately.

11. E.T.’s Glowing Finger Became an Iconic Movie Image

One of the most recognizable moments in the movie occurs when E.T.’s finger glows as he demonstrates his extraordinary abilities.

The glowing finger became a lasting symbol of the character and is closely associated with the movie’s most memorable line: “E.T. phone home.”

12. “E.T. Phone Home” Became a Famous Movie Quote

The phrase “E.T. phone home” captures the alien’s central goal: contacting his home planet so he can return to his family.

The simple line has remained one of the most recognizable quotes in science fiction cinema. It also communicates the heart of the story, which is about the need for connection and belonging.

13. Reese’s Pieces Played a Memorable Role in the Movie

Candy became an important part of Elliott’s plan to attract E.T. In one of the movie’s best-known moments, Elliott uses Reese’s Pieces to lead the alien toward his home.

The appearance of the candy became a famous example of product placement in a major motion picture. Its connection to the film helped make Reese’s Pieces a memorable part of E.T. movie trivia.

14. The Movie Features the Famous Flying Bicycle Scene

The image of Elliott riding a bicycle with E.T. in the basket, silhouetted against the moon, is among the most recognizable visuals in movie history.

The sequence combines practical filmmaking techniques, miniatures and visual effects work to create the illusion of flight. It also became one of the defining images associated with Steven Spielberg and the movie itself.

The famous bicycle scene remains a favorite among movie fans. At Madame Tussauds Orlando, you can connect with this iconic moment through the E.T. experience and bicycle-themed photo opportunity.

15. Industrial Light & Magic Helped Create the Film’s Visual Effects

Industrial Light & Magic, the visual effects company founded by George Lucas, worked on the movie’s memorable visual sequences.

The team used techniques that included miniatures, forced perspective and specialized effects photography to create the film’s magical moments. Its work on the flying bicycle sequence helped earn the production an Academy Award for visual effects.

16. John Williams Composed the Iconic Musical Score

The film’s music was composed by John Williams, one of the most celebrated composers in movie history.

Williams’s score helps shape the story’s emotional journey, from the mystery of E.T.’s arrival to the excitement of the bicycle flight and the sadness of the farewell. The music is especially memorable for the way it builds alongside the film’s visual effects.

17. The Music Won an Academy Award

John Williams won the Academy Award for Best Original Score for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial at the 55th Academy Awards in 1983.

The award recognized the music’s contribution to the movie’s storytelling and helped cement the score’s place among the most celebrated soundtracks in film history.

18. E.T. Won Four Academy Awards

The movie received nine Academy Award nominations and won four Oscars.

Its wins were for:

• Best Original Score: John Williams

• Best Sound: Robert Knudson, Robert Glass, Don Digirolamo and Gene Cantamessa

• Best Sound Effects Editing: Charles L. Campbell and Ben Burtt

• Best Visual Effects: Carlo Rambaldi, Dennis Muren and Kenneth F. Smith

The awards recognized the combined achievements of the film’s music, sound design and visual effects.

19. The Movie Was Nominated for Best Picture

In addition to its technical achievements, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial received an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.

The nomination reflected the film’s broader impact as a popular, emotionally resonant story that appealed to audiences beyond the science fiction genre.

20. E.T. Was Intended to Be a Family-Friendly Adventure

Although the movie includes suspense and government agents pursuing the alien, its central story focuses on friendship, empathy and family.

Spielberg’s approach helped create a science fiction adventure that could be enjoyed by children and adults alike. The film’s emotional core remains just as important to its legacy as its special effects.

21. The Movie Explores Friendship Across Different Worlds

At the heart of the story is the friendship between Elliott and E.T., two characters who initially have very little in common.

Their bond develops through shared experiences, trust and a willingness to help each other. The movie uses their relationship to explore how friendship can grow despite differences in background or appearance.

22. The Story Takes Place in a Suburban California Community

Rather than setting the entire movie in a distant galaxy or futuristic city, the filmmakers place much of the story in a familiar suburban neighborhood.

Ordinary homes, wooded areas and neighborhood streets provide the setting for an extraordinary adventure. This contrast helps make the alien encounter feel surprisingly close to everyday life.

23. The Movie Became a Major Box Office Success

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial became a worldwide box office phenomenon following its release in 1982.

Its popularity helped establish it as one of the most commercially successful films of its era. The movie’s cultural influence continued through theatrical re-releases, home video editions and anniversary celebrations.

24. The Amblin Entertainment Logo Was Inspired by the Movie

The familiar Amblin Entertainment logo features a bicycle carrying a silhouetted rider and passenger across the face of the moon.

The image recalls the famous flying bicycle sequence from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. It has become an instantly recognizable symbol associated with the production company behind many beloved films.

25. E.T. Remains One of the Most Recognizable Characters in Movie History

Decades after its original release, E.T. remains a familiar figure in popular culture.

The character’s distinctive appearance, glowing finger, memorable voice and friendship with Elliott continue to make the movie a favorite for generations of film fans. Its combination of science fiction, humor and heartfelt storytelling has helped the film maintain its place in cinematic history.

Why Is E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Still So Popular?

The enduring appeal of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial comes from its combination of imaginative filmmaking and universal themes.

The movie invites viewers to imagine what might happen if an alien arrived on Earth, but its most meaningful moments are rooted in familiar experiences. Elliott wants to help a friend, his family faces uncertainty, and E.T. longs to return home.

The film’s practical effects, John Williams’s memorable score and Steven Spielberg’s direction all contribute to its lasting influence. Its famous images, from the glowing finger to the bicycle against the moon, have become part of the visual language of popular culture.

For movie fans, learning these E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial facts is a reminder of how much creativity and collaboration go into making a film that audiences remember for decades.

Meet E.T. and Steven Spielberg at Madame Tussauds Orlando

You’ve discovered the stories behind the glowing finger, the famous moonlit bicycle scene and the filmmaker who helped bring E.T. to life. Now, take your appreciation for movie history beyond the screen.

At Madame Tussauds Orlando, located at ICON Park on International Drive, you can meet E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and see a lifelike wax figure of Steven Spielberg, the legendary director behind the 1982 classic.

Get Closer to E.T. and the Famous Bicycle Moment

Remember Elliott’s unforgettable bicycle flight with E.T. in the basket? The scene became one of the most iconic images in movie history, inspiring generations of fans to imagine what it would be like to soar across the sky with an extraterrestrial friend.

At Madame Tussauds Orlando, the E.T. experience offers an opportunity to connect with this beloved character and enjoy the famous bicycle-themed photo opportunity. Bring your camera and capture a memorable picture inspired by one of cinema’s most recognizable scenes.

See the Filmmaker Behind the Movie Magic

Steven Spielberg’s influence extends far beyond E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. His career includes some of the most celebrated films in modern cinema, spanning science fiction, adventure, drama and suspense.

Seeing his lifelike wax figure at Madame Tussauds Orlando adds another dimension to your visit. After exploring the facts behind E.T., you can celebrate the filmmaker whose imagination helped turn the story into a worldwide phenomenon.

It’s a fun connection between the character and the creative talent behind the camera, making the experience especially meaningful for film buffs and longtime Spielberg fans.

Make Movie Memories at ICON Park

Whether you grew up watching E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial or are introducing the movie to a new generation, Madame Tussauds Orlando offers a way to celebrate the characters and entertainment icons that have shaped popular culture.

Meet E.T., see Steven Spielberg’s wax figure and capture a photo inspired by the famous bicycle scene. Add Madame Tussauds Orlando to your ICON Park itinerary for a memorable stop on your Orlando vacation.